Friction-clutch.



No. 666,348. Patented `Ian. 22. |901.

G. W. KING & H. J. BABNHART.

FRICTIN CLUTCH.

Appliemcn med oct. 14, 189m (No Model.) 2 shem-snaet f.

No. 666,348. I Patented lanfzz, Ism. G. w. KING & H. J. BARNHART.

FBICTIN CLUTCH.

(Application med oct. 14, 1899. (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

w/r/vfssfs l M( VEN T035 15M@ Mg. @XAM 2xt/1 TTOHN E YJ Unirse @rares GEORGE W. KING AND HARRY J. .BARNHART, OF MARION, OHIO, ASSIGNORSv1 i PRICE.,

TO THE MARION STEAM SHOVEL COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

FRlCTlON-CLUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part f Letters Patent No. 666,348, dated ,Tanuary 22, 1901.

Application filed October 14, 1899. Serial No. 733,568. (No model.)

./lo @ZZ whom t may concern: Be it known that we, GEORGE YV. KING and HARRY J. BARNHART, residing at Marion, Marion county, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Friction- Clutches; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to 1o make and use the same.

Our invention relates to improvements in strap-clutches.

The objects of ourinvention are, more particularly, to render a strap-clutch operative i5 by steam under pressure upon the face of a piston within a cylinder carried by a rotary power-transmitting member which is operatively mounted upon the end portion of the shaft upon which is loosely mounted the drum or rotary member engageable by the strap of the clutch; to run the steam-supply pipe into the end and centrally of the shaft and a suitable distance longitudinally of the shaft and thence to the steam-pressure-reoeiving end of the cylinder; to form the bore in the shaft into which the said pipe extends larger diametrically than the pipe, so as to form an air-space around the pipe and accommodate the circulation of air through the pipe-containing portion of the shaft, and thereby avoid overheating of the said portion of the shaft; to conduct water resulting from condensation of steam leaking into the space behind the piston in the cylinder into the aforesaid bore and drain the same from the shaft at the steam-pipe-receiving end of the shaft, and thereby prevent the bespattering of the machinery by the said water, and to attain the results indicated-namely, the prevention of overheating the shaft and a satisfactory removal of any water resulting from the condensation of steam behind the piston of the cylinder by a construction that is simple, convenient, and inexpensive.

With these objects in view and to the end of realizing other advantages hereinafter appearing the invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and pointedout o in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a side elevation, mostly in section, of a friction-clutch and mechanism embodying our invention. Fig. II isan end elevation, partly in section. Fig. III on the sheet containing Fig. I is a sectional viewin detail and shows certain parts on a scale larger than the corresponding parts are shown in Fig. I. Fig. IV is an elevation in detail, mostly in section, on line IV IV, Fig. I. Portions are broken away in the drawings to reduce the size of the same and to more clearly show certain features of construction.

Referring to the drawings, a designates a horizontally-amanged shaft, and b represents a drum that is loosely mounted upon the shaft and provided at one end with an external annular flange b', that has thecircumferentially-extending peripheral rim b2, that is operatively engaged or disengaged by the friction-strap c, according as the said strap is tightened or loosened, as will hereinafter appear, upon the rim. A suitably-driven Awheel cZ-a spur-gear in the case illustrated* employed in transmitting power to the rim b2, is operatively mounted upon the shaft adjacent to the aforesaid iianged end of the drum. A short oscillating shaft e is supported from the wheel d near the latters periphery, and the said shaft is arranged horizontally and parallel with the axis of the wheel. rlhe shaft e is arranged a suitable distance from the external periphery of the rim b2 and has an eccentrically-arranged and eccentric-forming pin e' formed upon the inner end of the shaft and overlapping the said rim. One end of the strap c is attached to the eccentric e', whence the strap extends along and almost completely around the rim b2, and has its other end attached to a pin cl', that is supported from the wheel d near the latters periphery and near the shaft e. The shaft e at its opposite or outer end is operatively provided with a lever e2, extending inwardly toward the central portion of the wheel d at one side of the wheels hub. Normally the strap c is loose relative to the beltembraced rim b2; but the oscillation of the shaft e by means of the lever e2 and means, hereinafter described, employed for the operation of the said lever in the direction required to bring the eccentric e', and conse- IOO quently the attached movable end of the strap, nearer the relatively stationary end of the strap will tighten the strap upon the rim b2, and thereby establish operative connection between the drum-rotating wheel d and the drum.

The means employed to operate the lever e2 as required to render the strap c operative comprises a piston operated by {iuid under The said piston has its head f arranged within and movable end wise of a cylinderf, that is supported from the wheel C7 in any approved manner and is arranged, preferably, at a right angle or almost at a right angle to the lever e2 and a suitable distance from the lever and between the periphery of the wheel and the wheel-hubs side that is opposite the hubs side at which the said lever is arranged. The rod f2 of the piston extends through a stufling-box f3, formed upon the inner end of the cylinder, and is operatively connected at its outer end by means of a link fL with the outer end of the lever c2. A spiral spring g is confined upon a rod g/, that is arranged parallel with the piston-rod. The rod g has its inner end connected by a link g4 to the lever e2, preferably at a point between the piston-rod and the shaft e. The spring g is inclosed, preferably, in a 4case f5, that is formed externally of the cylinderfand extends longitudinally of the cyl inde'r. The outer end of the rod g is screwthreaded, and the spring g is confined upon the rod between the inner end wall f6 of the chamber of the ease f5 and a washer g2, interposed between the outer` end of the spring and a nut g3, mounted upon the outer threaded end of the rod. Obviously, therefore, the spring g acts to retain the lever e2 and the connected friction-strap in their normal and inoperative position, and the eiect of fluidpressure upon the larger piston face or area is the actuation of the piston and the connected lever e2 in the direction required to render the friction-strap operative.

The means for conducting the fluid-pressure to the chamber of the cylinder comprises a port f7, formed in the surrounding wall of the said chamber at the cylinders end that is opposite the larger area of the piston, which end is the outer end in the case illustrated. A pipe 7i communicates at one end with the port f7 and has its opposite end portion extending through an aperture (Z3, formed laterally in the hub (l2 of the wheel c7, into the inner end of a bore a', formed centrally in and longitudinally of the clutch-bearing end portion of the dru in-supportin g shaft d, which bore extends to the outer extremity of the said end portion of the shaft. The pipe 72l at the inner end of the bore a is connected by means of an elbow h with a pipe h2, that extends centrally and longitudinally of the bore a and beyond the bored end of the shaft and is in open relation with the eduction iluid-pressure-conducting port Z2 of a valve-A chest 7'. Pipes 7L and 7b2 turn together with the wheel d., whereas the connection betweenthe pipe h2 and the valve-chest is stationary. The connection between the pipe 71,2 and the port Z2 of the valve-chest comprises, preferably, a pipe 7b3, that communicates at one end with the said port and has its other end attached to one end of an elbow 7L, whose other end forms a part of a stufiing-box h5, that embraces the connected end of the pipe 7b2. The pipe 7b2 can freely turn within the stuffing-box, that prevents leakage of steam at the swivel -joint thus formed between the pipes 72,2 and h3. The elbow has an external lug or projecting member 71,( arranged opposite the stuliing-box and having its outer end engaging a stationary object s, that prevents the pipe h3, and consequently the siul'lingbox h5, from becoming displaced or disconnected from the pipe 7b2 by steam-pressure within the elbow 7b4 and the pipe 7L?.

The valve-chest 7 is supported in any approved manner. The chest has three ports, arranged the one 7,3 centrally between the others l' and Z2. The central port 7,S constitutes the exhaust-port of the chest and communicates with the exhaust-pipe 7*. The port 7,2 of the chest illustrated communicates, as already indicated, with the pipe h3. The pipes 71.2 and 71,3 constitute the fluid-pressi]re-supply pipe-line for the cylinder j", and the other outer port Z' of the valve-chest establishes communication between the valve-containing chamber of the valve-chest and the pipe L, that constitutes the fluid-pressuresupply pipe for the valve-chest. A slidevalve o is suitably arranged and seated within the valve-chest and is provided in the usual manner with a cavity o', that has the arrangement and size required to render it capable of establishing communication between the exhaust-port and the cylinder-connecting pipe-line in the exhausting and normal position of the valve. The valve 0 has its steln o2 extending outside of the valve-chest to and a suitable distance below the operato1"s stand or platform 19. A bellerank lever r is arranged below the platform or stand 2J and is fulcrumed horizontally and transversely, as at r, to a bracket p, depending from and rigid with the platform p. The leverr in its normal position has one of its arms extending downwardly from the levers axis and its other arm extending toward the valve-chest and operatively connected with the depending stem t' of a pedal, whose head t is arranged a suitable distance above the platform p. The depending arm of the lever r is operatively connected by a link w with the outer end of the valve-stem. A stationary bracket 7c affords bearing for the said link, and the link is pivoted horizontally and transversely, as at w', to the valve-stem. v A collar w2 is formed upon the link w near the pivot w. The bearing-affording support 7a is arranged between the said collar and the bell-crank lever, and a spiral spring w3 is mounted upon the link and coniined between the said sup- IOO ITO

port Zt and the collar w2 and acts to retain the valve in the latters normal and exhausting position, wherein the clutch is idle. A spiral spring t2 is mounted and confined upon the pedals stein t between the pedals head and the platform and acts to retain the pedal and the connected bell-crank lever in their normal position.

The operation of our improved clutch is as follows: The chamber of the chest Zis in continuous communication with the iiuid-pressure-supply pipe L. The Valve 0 normally bridges or covers the exhaust-port Z3 and the ed uction-port Z2 and establishes open relation between the said ports. The depression of the pedal if tilts the bell-crank lever in the direction required to pull outwardly upon the valvestem and shift the valve in the direction and to the extent required to uncover the eduetion-port Z2, when fluid-pressure issues into pipe 71,2 from the valve-chests chamber and is conducted by means of the pipes h2 and h and the cylinder-port f7 into the chamber of the cylinder at the large area or face of the cylinders piston and results in the actuation of the piston and strap-connected mechanism as required to render the strap operative, and upon the release of the pedal t the springs t2 and fm2 return the pedal and the valve, respectively, into the normal position, and spring g returns the cylinders piston to its normal or starting position and results in the exhausting of the cylinder, because in the normal position of parts the fluid-presenre-receiving chamber of the cylinder is in open relation, by means of port f7, pipes Zt and h2, port Z2, Valve 0, and port Z3, with the exhaust-pipe.

As already indicated, the valves stein o2 and the connected valve are moved in the direction required to place the ed ucation-port Z2 of the valve-casing in open relation with the chamber of the said casing by the depression of the pedal t and upon the release of the said pedal are returnedinto their normal position by the action of the spring w3.

Another Jfeature of our invention consists in means provided for taking care of the drip or moisture that leaks into the cylinder-s cham ber at the smaller face or area of the piston and avoid bespattering of the machinery with the drip. A pipe m communicates with the cylinders chamber at the stuftingbox bearing end of the cylinder and is arranged to conduct from the cylinder the drip or moisture accumulating in the cylinders chamber at the smaller area or face ofthe piston. The said pipe connects at its opposite end with the lateral aperture d3, formed in the hub of the wheel CZ. As already indicated, the aperture Z3 accommodates the extension of the pipe 7L to the center or axial line of the shaft d, where the said pipe is connected with the pipe h2, and the said aperture communicates at its inner end with a lateral aperture a2,

formed in the shaft and communicating with the inner end of the bore d', that is formed centrally and longitudinally of the shaft and accom modates the location of the pipe h2. The said bore is diametricall y larger than the pipe h2 to render it capable of adequately accommodating and conducting any water or moisture accumulating within the said bore to the bores outer end. The bores outer end is enlarged dianietrically, as at a3, to receive the inner end of a bushing n flush with the surrounding wall of the bore. The said enlarged outer end of the bore has its surrounding wall screw-threaded and engaged by corresponding threads formed upon and externally of the inner end of the bushing. The bushing rotates, therefore, with the shaft. The bushing has its outer end reduced diametrically, as at fn', to render it capable of snugly but easily embracing the pipe h2. A chambered collar t' is loosely mounted upon the bushing at the outer end of the shaft and between the shafts end and a flange n2, formed upon and externally of the outer end portion of the bushing. The chamber of the said collar is placed in open relation with the chamber of the bushing by means of a series of apertures n3, formed laterally in the collarbearing portion of the bushing at suitable intervals circumferentially of the bushing, and consequently the cham ber of the collar is in open relation with the bore d' of the shaft, so that any water or moisture accumulating within the said bore can escape through the said perforations into the collar and thence into the drain-pipe i', that is secured to the collar in any approved manner and communicates with the collars chamber.

The pipe h2 and the bushing n are-preferably secured together by a set-screw tnthat eX- tends into engagement with the pipe through a correspondingly lateral threaded hole in the outer end portion of the bushing. The pipe is secured, therefore, to the shaft, so that there is no liability of the said pipe unscrewing from the elbow h', that, as already indicated, connects the said pipe h2 with the pipe ZL.

Steam-pressure is preferably employed,and obviously there would be leakage of steam past the piston within the cylinder f-that is, steam would leak from the pressure-receiving face of the piston to and between the piston and the surrounding wall of the cylinders chamber into the said chamber behind the piston, and the steam thus leaking into the space behind the piston would, if allowed its own course, condense and drip out at the piston-rod bearing end of the cylinder, and this drip on account of the cylinder revolving with the wheel d would be thrown off by centrifugal force in every direction. This spattering of condensed steam would be a source of annoyance, especially in freezing weather. By the provision of the stuffingbox f3 around the piston-rod and the cylinders drain-pipe m connected with the bore a of the shaft the drip or condensed Steam forming within the cylinder behind the pis- IOS IIO.

IZO

ton is caused to pass to the end of the shaft, where the centrifugal force is not sufficient to throw it off; but the drip is drained at the end of the shaft and causes no in convenience. By the use of the bushing n and the collar t' and a connect-ed pipe the drip can be carried to any point eutirelyout of the way. We would remark also that when the spring g forces the piston back air is sucked in to pipe m, and consequently into the bore ct of the shaft. 'lhis ingress of airinto the shaft cools the latter, and consequently cools the boxj, that affords bearing for the shaft at the outer end of the hub of the wheel d and formed upon the stationary framework y". lf steam-pressure were employed, pipe h2 would he hot and heat would radiate to the shaft, and the circulation of air around the said pipe within the shaft will prevent overheating of the shaft.

Vhat we claim isl. The combination, with a shaft, a ro- 'tary power-transmitting member operatively mounted upon the shaft, another rotary member loosely mounted adjacent to the power-transmitting member, a clutch for establishing operative connection between the said rotary parts, a Huid-pressure cylinder carried by one of the said rotary parts and instrumental in rendering' the clutch operative, the piston within the cylinder, means acting to retain the said piston in its inoperative position, and a bearing,r j for the shaft, of a bore formed centrally in and extending longitudinally of the shaft, a steam-supply pipe arranged centrally and longitudinallyof and diametrieally smaller than the said bore and in open relation with the fluid-pressurereeeiving chamber of the cylinder, a passageway establishing open relation between the said bore and the eylinders chamber behind the piston, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with a shaft, a rotary power-transmittiner member operatively mounted upon an end portion of the shaft, another rotary member loosely mounted adjacent to the power-transmitting member, a eluteh for establishing operative connection between the said rotary parts, and a fluidpre'ssnre cylinder carried by one of the said rotary parts and instrumental in rendering the eluteh operative, of a bore formed eentrally in and extending longitudinally of the shaft to the outer extremity of the aforesaid Shaft, a steam-supply pipe arranged centrally and longitudinally of and diam etrieally smaller than the said bore and in open relation with the fluid-pressure-reeeivine chamber of the eylinder, a passage-way establishing open relation between the said bore and the cylinder-s Chamber behind the piston, bushing secured to the shaft and snuglyembracingt the aforesaid pipe,whieh bushing,r has its chamber communicating with the aforesaid bore and is provided with discharge-apertures, and a ehambered collar mounted upon the bushing and havin;r an outlet, subst-autially as and for the purpose set forth.

Signed by us at- Marion, Ohio, this 22d day of September, 1899.

GEORGE W. KING. HARRY J. BARNIIART.

Witnesses:

FRANK H. KING, Gno. A. CHENEY. 

